Fluid-treating apparatus



Aug. 7, 1928. 1,679,373

4 w. A. PowNALL y FLUID TREATING' vAPPARATUS 4 Fled Jan. 11.1923 s sheets-sheet 1 4 Home rs C5 VSheets-Sheet 2 w A PowNALL FLUID TREATING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 11, 1925 Aug. 7, 1928.

A TTU/ME YS Aug. 7, 192s.

' 1,679,373 w. A. PowNALL FLUID HEATING APPARATUS Filed Jan, 11. 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 fli A TTORNEVS Patented Aug. 7, 1928.

UNITED JSTATES;

WILLIAM A. POWNALL,

F DECATUR, ILLINOIS.

'FLUInuREATING APPARATUS.

Application led January 11, 1923. ySerial No. 611,999.

In the purification of water and other fluids, it frequently is desirable and necessary to treat them with a reagent for the'purpose of counter-acting or causing to settle an impurity carried by the water either in solution or suspension.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatically introducing a treatin substance into the fluid to be treated, said apparatus being particularly adapted for use in treating hard, muddy or otherwise impure waters to fit them for use in steam boilers. For waters in which foreign matter is carried in suspension, ordinary lime, if l5 introduced in roper quantities, in solution,

is frequently ound to give satisfactory results; or for softening hard waters, the 1njection of a solution of soda ash, barium hydrate or any suitable chemical may be found 2Ubeneficial, the articular reagent used deending upon tfie nature of the impurity to be removed. p

The present invention may be considered as an improvement upon 'the invention described in U. S. Patent No. 1,048,833, dated December 31, 1912, and issued to J ay Russell Hickox and myself as joint inventors. In the apparatus described in that patent, there is provided a receptacle for holding the lime or other treating material, and this receptacle is connected in a by-pass thru which a part of the main water supply is diverted, whereby the treating material is dissolved and is carried into the main Awater channel where it mixes with the main body of the Water stream. lVith this forni of apparatus, it is obvious that with ceitain'salts of varying solubilities the treatingsolution passing from the treating tank into the water main is not uniform in strength but becomes weaker as the treating material is dissolved and used up. Objectionable lack of uniformity may thus result from the treatment of water by the apparatus described in the aforesaid patent.

One of the objects of the present invention is to overcome the difficulty above mentioned, and provide-apparatus which will function automatically and which will at all times feed into the fluid to'be treated a treating solution of definite strength in quantities` substantially proportioned to the amount of fluid to be treated. Generally speaking, this is accomplished by providing the inside of the treating tank with a. movable partition which will `Iatfall times sepa.- rate the treating solution and the Water drawn from the main and used for impelling the treating solution into the water supply, whereby tlaieweakening of the treating solution by the walter used for impelling is prevented, and the proportioning of the amount of treating solution by using constrictions of predetermined sizes in the pipe lines carryingfthe Huid to be treated and the treating solution.` Other objects of the present invention are to improve the apparatus in clrtain other respects which will be hereinafter apparent.

For the purpose of illustration and explanation, I have shown in the drawing forming part of this specification, and will hereafter describe in detail, a specific embodiment of'invention designed as a treating plant for a locomotivewater station; but it is obvious that my invention is capable of a great variety of modifications, and may be put to other uses.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of apparatus embodying the invention; Figures 2 and 3 are, respectively, an end elevation and l a plan view of a portion of the apparatus,

including particularly the mixing vat and I thesolution tank; Figure 4 is a sectional elevation of a constriction introduced into the supply main; Figure 5 is al sectional longitudinal elevation of the treating tank; Figures 6 and 7 are fragmentary sectional elevations of portions ofthe treating tank; and Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of a. constriction-introduced into the pipe thru which the solution passes to the settling tank. Like parts are referred to throughout this specification and in the drawings by the same reference characters..

Referring to the drawings, a source-of iiuid supply under pressure is indicated by the pipe 9 which extends from a concretel"lined pit 10 having a man-holelprovided with a cover 11. Connect-ed to the pipe 9,.

order to maintain the water in the settling tank 15 at a certain level, there is prefer,

ably provided between the pipes 9 and 13, a valve 17 which may be of a wcll-kuown type which is caused to open and close in response which the supply of water to the tanlr may be shut oil'. There is also provided, preferably between the valve 17 and the valve :20, a constriction which may be in the form of a thin sheet QB of metal bolted between flanges Q3 on pipe section 24 and 25, as shown in Figures l and 1t. A pipe 27, connected to the pipe section Q4 in advance of the constriction just mentioned, serves to carry water from the main to the apparatus in which the treating solution is mixed.` and by which the treating;r solution is introduced into the settling tank 15. The treating solution is carried from this apparatus thru a pipe Q8 passing thru a, gland Q9 in the bottom of the tank 15, said pipe S28 being provided at its top with a nozzle 30 which directs the treating solution into the stream passing into the settlingr taulc from supply pipe 13.

The apparatus in which the treating solution'is mixed and by which it is injected into the second tank 15 will now be described. This apparatus is shown as housed in a building 34. The mixing vat in which the soda ash or other treating substance is mixed with water is indicated at as mounted on a suitable platform 36 supported by uprights 37. As shown, this vat 35 is provided at one side with a Wire basket 39 adapted to hold the substance which is to be mixed with or dissolved in the Water in the tank 35 to make the treating Solution. There is also indicated in the drawings, a level indicator for the vat 35 of a conventional form characterized by a float 40, connected by a chain or cord 41 which passes over the pulleys, with an indicating; member 42 which cooperates with a fixed guide and scale 43. later may be supplied to the mixing vat thru the pipe il provided with a valve 45 and connected to the pipe Q7.

Below the mixing; vat 35, is a solution tank which is characterized by the fact that it is provided on its inside with a movable par tition. As shown, the solution tank is cylindrical in form and consists of halves t6 and' 4T which are joined by flanges 48 and 49 which are held together by bolts 50. IThe movable partition within the solution tank is preferably made in the forni ot a canvas bag 51 which is made ,slightly larger than one-half of the solution tank, in order that the bag may not be submitted to undue @creara strains during operation. At its open end, the bag .'31 is provided with a flange preferably also olI canvas which is adapted to extend between the llangcs A.i3 and A1) and to serve as a ,'asltct between them.

The solution tank is preferably provided at each end at the top and bottom with threaded openings. ll'ilh the arrangiinient shown in the drawing, the bottom openings are closed with plugs 51 and are used only for drainage purposes under abnormal circumstances, as when the apparatusv is being repaired. lt is through the upper openings in thc solution tank that. the lrcatiiu.r solution and the impclling water are injected and rcmoi'eih it being noted that these open ings are on opposite sides of thc movable partition ,formed by the hay; il within the solution tanlr. (eine ot' the top openings in the solution tank i.; connected by a pipe .3:3 containing a vulve on with the mixing tank 35; and this same opcninpf is connected by n pipe 53 with the pipe 2e through which the treating solution is carried to the settlint,r tank 15. .For tho purpose of furnishingY a reliable means for controlling the flow of' treating liquid, the pipe 58 is preferably provided with a constriction which may be constructed in the manner shown in detail in Figure it it; shown, this constriction is introduced by means of' a special nipple (30 havinfr an end which is closed except for the fact that it is drilled as indicated at til, this nipple bein* introduced between a 4pipe union G3 an( a pipe T G4. For the purpose of pernjiittingr manual control of the llow of treating liquid through the pipes 58 and 28, and for the purpose ol permittinpr the special nipple 6U to be removed and changed for another having a different size ot constrictcd opening. valves ($7 and G8 are preferably provided in the pipe 53 on cach side ot the constriction. As shown in the drawing, the pipe. 58 is of considerably smaller gauge than the pipe 28, and these pipes are joined in a 'Well-known manner thru a union 70 in` terposed between nipples 71, and a reducer 72.

The other opening* at the top of the solution tank is connected, by a. pipe T containingl a valve 7G, with the pipe 2T which leads to the source of supplf in advance of the constriction intl-minced5 by the perforated plate 22, as hereinbeforc described. This opening at the top ot"- thc .solution tank is also connected through the pipe 75 to a drainage pipe 78 containingr a valve 7S) and leading to any suitable drainage point such as a drain 31 located in. the floor of the building 34.

The preferred inode of operation of the apparatus.hereinbetore described is as follows:

The treating: material` such as soda ash, is placed in the wire basket 39 and is allowed nemers; i

to dissolve in Water with which the mixing Yat may he lled hy the opening of valve lo. Having thus prepared the treating solution in the mixing Vat 35, and assuming o that the lett end ot' the solution tank is einpty ot treating solution, the treating solution may he introduced into the solution taule by opening the Valve 56. While the solution tank is iilling,`the Valve 7G in the lo pipe 75 should he closed, and the valve 79 inthe drainage pipe 78 should be open; and it the settling tank is soy located that the Water level in it is higher than the level of the treating solution in the vat 35, then .either the valve 57 or the valve 68 should be closed While the tilling of the solution tank is taking' place, in order that the solution inay not be diluted by water flowing back frein the tank l5 through the pipes 28 andl 58. lHou/ever, this temporary discontinuanee ot' the :furnishing ot' treating solution to the set ne' tank l5 is not a serious man ter, since ie filling of the solution tank is quickly accomplished. lt Will be under-' fia-istood that the treating solution, thus aduiitted to the solution tank from the mixing'- tat 35, forces the bag 5l, which serves as a inovahle partition in said tank toward the right end of the solution tank as Viewed in tu Figure l; and that any right side ot said bag is'forced out thru the drainage pipe 78 As soon a5 the solution tank is filled, a condition which is indicated hy the cessation ot the flow of Water through the drainage ipe 78, the valves 5G and 79 are closed, and the valves 76 and 67 (or 68) are opened, thereby applying to the inside uit' the solution tank at vits right end as` 'viewed in Figure l, Water under the presnire existing in the pipe 27. Owing to the tact that the pipe 27 is connected to the main 9 in advance ofthe constriction introduced by the perforated disc 22, the pressure on the water lied to the solution tank 4on the right side of the movable partition therein will be substantially thepressure of the Water in the inuin 9 between the valve 17 and the orifice 22. Since the pipes l and 28 discharge against the pressure or head, there will' always dll liu

is acting'F to produce flow of Water through infiiiee 22, and this will be suthclent to grail nelly inoye the partition 51 toward thla left,

the pipes 58 and 28 up into the settling tank tu hut may connected to any portion of the s3; the pressure in -inain 9. .Ars the treating solution emerges trein the nozzle into the streain oturater passing into kthe settling w tenir. thru the supply pipe i3, a thorough `Will depend upon the rate of flow through air or Water on the bodied,y it is to he understoodv that such ap-vl` -Y Y Y -paratus may hemodiedin many respects he suhstaiitially 'the saine pressure diierentiet tending to produce How of solution .as

thereby turning the treating-solution out of, for introducing into said settling tanka the lett end ot the solution tank and through i .quantities substantially proportioned to thef course, it is to be understood thatV vamount,oli'luidpassing from-the source off? .the pipe 27 need not he connected to the main .inch the pressure corresponds to i,hirring a Inovahle partition there1n`,.g:pipe jfconneeted to the supplypipe ata-pointin inixingot the Water and the treating solu-v tion takes place withheneicial results. Of course, however', the solution might helinjected into the stream of Water while it is still passing thru the ipe 13, i-this is considered more desirab e or convenient. -In' this case also the pressure differential producing tloW of solution will always be substantially the same as the pressure diderential at opposite sides of the orifice 22 and `7,5

the orifice;4 When the bag y 5l has been forced toward the lett end of the solution tank as far as possible, and practically allf of the treating solution has thus been expelled from the solution tank, the latter is again filled from the mixing vat in the manner previously described.

It will be understood that the apparatusv f shown and described furnishes means for j introducing into a settling tank or other4 suitalole discharge rece tac e or conduit'atreating solution of etinite strength in quantitiesw substantially pro ortioned to the ainount of fluid paing t ru the lsupply pipe to the tank, as .long as the valve 17 is open. It will be noted also thata's valve 17 closes, Water will gradually cease to flow` through the pipe 27 and that the ressure 1n the pipe 9 between valve 17 hand orifice 22, which is herein referred toy as the supply pressure, gradually falls, diminishing the pressure differential acting to feed solution. When, finally, the valve 17 is completely closed there is no pressure differential act# ing to feed solution and the injection of the treating solution from the solution tank Will cease until .the valve 17- opens again. Moreover, owing; to the vfact that the pipes communicating with the .inside of the solu tion tank are connected `to the top of lthe latter, any air that may collect in the tank will readily escape roin it.

VVhile I have shown certain forms of apv paratus in which my invention' may ybeein-v` luo 4 without 'depart-ing vfrom -the spirit of theiif] 1 vinvention as defined in the appended claims g -What I claim is: j, l. ln fluid treating apparatus, a sett-ling tank, a supply pipev containing 4.af constric-v tion thru which said settling tank is con.;y necte'd to a source of Huid supply, and'nieans treating solution ot definite4 strength;`

supply '.tofsaid settling tank, said means 'comprising ,a tank 'for the treati solution..

adjvirnce of the aforesa eonstnietlonend leading to the solution tank on4 one side'of' the partition therein, and a. Ripe leading from the solution tank on the other side of the partition to the stream passing into the settling tank.

2. In fluid treating apparatus, a settling tank, a supply pipe containing a constriction thru which said settling tank is connected to a source of fluid supply, and means for introducing into said settling tank a treating solution of definite Strength in quantities substantially proportioned to the amount of fluid passing from t-lie .source of supply to said settling tank, .said means comprising a tank for the treating solution having a movable partition therein, a pipe f connected to the supply pipe at a point in advance of the aforesaid constriction and leading to the solution tank on one side of the partition therein, and a pipe having a constriction therein leading from said solution tank on the other side of the partition to the. stream passing into t-he settling tank.

3. In fluid treating apparatus, a supply pipe containing a constriction and leading to a source of fluid supply under pressure, a settling tank receiving the discharge from said pipe. and means for introducing into said settling tank a treating solution of definite strength in quantities substantially proportioned to the amountcf fluid passing thru said ,supply pipe to said settling tank, said means comprising a mixing vat, a soluition tank having` a movable partition therein, a pipe provided with a valve leading from said mixing tank'to said solution tank on one side of the partition, a pipe containing a valve leading from said solution tank on the last mentioned side.of said partition to the stream passing into the settling tank, a pipe containing a valve leading fromsaid supply pipe from a point in advance of the aforesaid constriction therein to said solut-ion tank on the other side of the partition, and a drainage pipe containing a valve leading from said solution tank on the last mentioned side of the partition.

4. In fluid treating apparatus, a supply pipe containing a constriction and leading to a source of fluid supply under pressure, a settling tank receiving the discharge from said pipe, and means for introducing into said settling tank a treating solution of definite strength in quantities substantially proportioned to the amount of fluid passing thru said supply pipe to said settling tank,

said means comprising a mixing vat, a solution tank having a movable partition therein, a pipe provided with a valve leading from said mixing tank to said solution tank on one side of the partition, a pipe having a constriction therein and containing a valve leading from said solution tank on the last mentioned side of said partition lto the stream passing into the settling tank, a pipe containing a valve leading from said supply pipe from a point in advance of the aforesaid constriction therein to said solution tank on the other side of the partition, and a drainage pipe containing a valve leading from said solution tank on the last mentioned side of the partition.

5. For use in fluid treating apparatus, a solution tank in the form of two cylindrical portions each closed at one end and attached together at their open ends and arranged with their aires substantially horizontal, said tank being provided on its inside with a movable partition in the forni of a bag adapted to be moved into either end of the tank and arranged with its mouth extending between the sections of said tank to forni a gasket, each o'f said tank sections being provided with an opening near the top of the closed end.

6. In' fluid treating apparatus the combination with means for continuously supplying fluid under pressure, of means for supplying treating solution of uniform strength, and means for utilizing the continuous pressure of the fluid supply to proportion the rate of supply of the treating solution to the rato of supply of the fluid to be treated.

7. In fluid treating apparatus the combination with means for continuously supplying fluid under pressure, of means for supplying treating solution of uniform strength, and means for utilizing the continuous pressure of the fluid supply to proportion the rate of supply of the treating solution to the rate of supply of the fluid to be treated, and for discontinuing the supply of treating solution when the supply of fluid to be treated is discontinued.

8. In fluid treating apparatus, means for proportionate feeding of treating material of constant strength, fluid oiv controlled means for controlling the rate of operation of the rst said means, and means actuatedby the head of the treated fluid to control the period of operation of the first said means, whereby said treating material is fed in true proportion to the quantity of fluid treated.

9. In a fluid treating apparatus, in combination, a conduit for supplying fluid under pressure` means in said conduit for iinpeding the flow of fluid therein and thereby producing a pressure differential in the co'nuit dependent for its value upon the rate of flow of the fluid', means foi' supplying treating solution of uniform strength, and means for utilizing the pressure differential 4in the conduit to feed the treating solution in uniform proportion to the rate of supply of the fluid to be treated.

10. In a fluid treating system, in combination, means for transmitting under pressure the fluid to be treated, said means having a restriction therein for utilizing the flow of the fluid to cause the pressure beyond the restriction to be less than the pressure tion is always fed to the system at a rate in advance thereof, means ffor sup lying dependent upon the rate of flow ofthe fluid treating solution of uniform strengt oonto be treated, and in uniform proportion l0 nected to deliver to the system beyond the thereto. I 5 restriction, and means for applying the pres- In testimony whereof I have afiixed my sure in advance of the restriction to the signature to this s ciea-tion. v

A W IAM A.. POWN ALL.

solutionlsupplying means, whereby the solu- 

